Finland

The Finnish city Seinäjoki has successfully tackled the problem of obesity in children with a program emphasizing physical fitness and better nutrition in schools. Can the lessons learned here also be applied in Germany and elsewhere in the world? more...

Members of the True Finns party and of Finland's ruling conservatives want to abolish compulsory Swedish tuition in schools. It is part of a growing right-wing campaign to assert a Finnish national identity at the expense of the Swedish minority. more...[ Comment ]

Mining companies are flocking to northern Finland as new deposits of gold, nickel and other minerals promise vast profits. But the area's fragile wetland ecosystem is paying the price. Conservationists are so far fighting a losing battle. By Renate Nimtz-Köstermore...[ Comment ]

In a SPIEGEL interview, Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen, 40, urges the crisis-hit countries of Southern Europe to issue bonds backed by state-owned assets and rejects a proposal to give the euro rescue fund a banking license. The euro zone, he says, is like a family in which some members broke their promise to respect the rules. more...

Finland reached a deal with Greece and Spain to get collateral in exchange for its share in any bailout packages. The deals are controversial, with critics worried that they may herald a quiet Finnish exit from the euro. In a SPIEGEL interview, Finance Minister Jutta Urpilainen, 36, defends the policy, saying her country wants to keep the euro intact. more...

The Norwegian tourist board is unhappy about an attempt by its counterpart in Finland to market the country using a video of the northern lights. The Norwegians claim the Finns are trying to "steal" the celestial phenomenon from them. more...

Right-wing populists in the Netherlands, Austria and Finland are stoking anger against people in debt-laden southern European countries. Experts say they are taking advantage of the debt crisis to gain popularity. By Alexander Jung and Bernhard Zandmore...[ Comment ]

The success of the True Finns in last week's Finnish elections has shocked Brussels. They are just one of a number of right-wing populist parties currently flourishing in Europe. Their rise could threaten the euro bailout. By SPIEGEL Staff.more...[ Comment ]

Will the election of right-wing populists in Finland derail the euro rescue package? A Helsinki veto would indeed be expensive for the rest of the euro zone, particularly for Germany. Experts are also warning that other European countries may follow suit if Finland decides to pull out of the euro bailout. An Analysis by Sven Böll and Maria Marquartmore...[ Comment ]